"There is absolutely no comparison between culatello (speciality ham) from Parma and smoked reindeer," Mr Berlusconi was quoted as saying.

Italy's bid beat Finland's, and the EFSA opened in Parma in 2005.

First the European Commission will assess the competing bids and make its recommendations.

In November each of the EU foreign ministers will vote in order of preference - three points for the preferred bid, two points for the second-favourite and one point for the third.

Accessibility and efficient infrastructure are the top two agreed criteria. But the EU also wants the new hosts to have good "European-oriented" schooling and job opportunities for the families of agency staff.

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Vienna is among the cities vying to host the EBA and its employees

Germany's Spiegel news website joked that the voting would be rather like the Eurovision Song Contest.

"That's why the Germans fear equally wretched results," Spiegel said - even though Frankfurt, as HQ of the European Central Bank, would be a logical host for the EBA.

A flavour of this new EU "beauty contest" was provided by Austria.

Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said his country "is already a terrific location for many international organisations.

"We have wonderful general conditions in Vienna, and that's why I consider that we are a very attractive location."

The EU is keen to locate some of its agencies in the newer member states of Central and Eastern Europe - it has stated that as an aim.

But their rejection of the EU asylum policy - notably refusing to take in refugees currently in Italy and Greece - may count against them.